Rape, incest, and the mother’s life…oh, and abused children…better aborted than abused. How many times have we heard these acceptable exceptions to a ban on abortions?  It is easy to see the point of view that makes these exceptions acceptable.  No sane person wants to inflict further hurt and suffering on those already in pain.  Worst of all are the faces of children who live in horror.  Children who might, it is imagined, count themselves lucky to have never been... Read more

Our two daughters have been on vacation at their grandparents’ house in Corpus Christi. God bless their Lutheran grandparents who love their Catholic granddaughters enough to make sure that they got to Mass this morning.  Unfortunately, the Catholic Church closest to my in-laws house is not the most orthodox.  (It has a Noah’s Ark puppet theater at the front of the church. Enough said.) Over the years of traveling with our children, we have been to too many bad Masses. ... Read more

My pedicure buddy and cousin by marriage is celebrating the 7th anniversary of her 29th birthday tonight.  She asked if I would mind bringing a plate of appetizers to help her out.  I don’t mind.  I love to cook.  This morning I made the sheepish call to admit that I got on a bit of a roll last night and made not one plate of appetizers, but 5.  FIVE!!!  What kind of person does that?  I had planned to take... Read more

I was discussing politics with my brother the other day and he said “With your snark, you would be great on the Red Eye Panel on Fox News.” Not only did I agree, but I realized that I probably could get out of washing dishes that night.   A dream was born. If you Facebook, join the petition page and help make one Mom’s dream of a night without housework come true. Want to help even more?  Post the link on... Read more

A Facebook acquaintance of mine posted the other day that she and her husband “have decided to start trying to have a baby.  Cross your fingers for us!”   Ick. I don’t understand this new trend in announcing the intention to begin trying to conceive.  It’s the same thing as saying “my husband and I are going to be having a lot of sex in the near future.”  What am I supposed to say to that?  I hope it’s good for... Read more

 ***I’m feeling snarky today.  You’ve been warned.*** The New York Times ran a story yesterday titled “Placing the Blame as Students Are Buried in Debt.” It features the travails of 26 year old Cortney Munna who graduated from New York University in 2005 with more than $100,000 in student loan debt.  Nearly 5 years after graduation, Ms Munna still has almost the whole amount to pay off. The article neatly lays out the list of corporate baddies who preyed ruthlessly... Read more

My sweet husband has repeatedly told me that I am not funny at all, merely amusing. The baby obviously doesn’t agree. He thinks his mom is the Funniest Woman Alive. Who can argue with such overwhelming evidence? (I dare you to watch this and not at least crack a smile.)//www.youtube.com/get_player I apologize for the shaky camera. The 13 year old was laughing while filming. Read more

We had a visiting priest at our parish this past Sunday, a passionate and dynamic speaker with a passion for the priesthood. At one point during his homily, just when the boys’ attention was beginning to wander, he smacked the pulpit with his open palm and shouted into the microphone, “Young men!  I am speaking to you!  God is calling you to the priesthood!  His Church is crying out for you!  You are called to be priests!” My own young... Read more

This morning, after Mass, I packed up my two daughters and shipped them off to their grandparents’ house for the next two weeks.  It’s just me and the boys now.  I think I may have made a mistake.  I should have gone, too. I know that other women raise sons, lots of sons, without any daughters to break up the sea of blue.  I’m not those moms.  I like girls.  I like pink.  With whom shall I watch TV and... Read more

A very sweet reader, Katie, asked about my good relationship with my in laws.  She asked “How long did it take? I’m having an extremely hard time with it all. I feel like there is so much tension when it comes to parenting Ethan. I don’t understand how to fit them into our lives. I’m definitely unlike them and it feels like we’re always clashing. I just don’t get it.” Katie, a bit of advice from someone who’s been married... Read more